Help with rear brake drums

I have my '06 on jack stands doing the Cheap Traction Bar mod. I also want to check my rear brake pads (okay, I want to paint them black too), but can not get the drums off. Yes, the emerg. brake is off. Is there a trick to this?? They should just slide off, no.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

They should slide off, but rust & dirt will often hold them in place.

Spray penetrating lubricant (like PB blaster) at the base of each lug. Give it some time to penetrate. Then - take a hammer and tap the areas inbetween the lugs (on the flat surface). You can tap harder but don't go crazy.
You can also take a mallet and tap the outside edges (fairly lightly).

Use more penetrating lube and be patient.

 

Thanks Janster, I have had penetrating fluid on them for about half hour, still one with the axle. You have the patience thing correct!!!!

Breath, remember to breath!!!

 

I had a similar problem with my 1980 Corolla........Tried the penatrating fluid thing and ended up letting one sit over night and still no luck the next day......I asked my wife to get me a can of Coke.....I poured it on and let it sit for about 30 seconds and then tapped with a rubber mallet......Problem Solved!

 

I had this same issue when I wanted to clean my rear brakes. If you look at the brake drum, you can see some holes with threads in them, I bought a bolt from Home Depot and put it through the thread. As you tighten the bolt, the drum should start coming off.

I don't recall the size of the bolt.

 

get a flathead screwdrive and mallot, hit the back of it till it pops off. Or got to the gym more

 

Other ideas.

Use a mallet and hit the sides of the drum to try and force the shoes a little off the drums.

Open the bleed screw on the wheel cylinder (you might need a quick bleed after this, however).

 

Thanks all. I banged and banged, cursed, banged some more. It never broke free, so I gave up. Sprayed all the pene fluid off with brake cleaner, wire brushed them, sanded them, sprayed them black, and enjoyed the rest of my day. There are some great ideas posted here, but I just did not have the time to @^%$ with it anymore. I still do not know the condition of my brake pads though.

BTW, the traction bar mod using Superior helper springs (no rivet) REALLY does make a difference in stability and cornering. I recommend this very highly!!

The black brake drums are just... cool (I painted my front calipers red last weekend).

 

I had this very problem today. Worked on them for hours! There was a lot of rust between the center of the drums and the flange in the middle. I found that spraying it good with penetrant and taking a large flathead screwdriver and inserting it around the edges and twisting it finally did the trick PITA! Better wear some decent gloves too. I've got blisters on my hand from this!

 

No their is a much easier way to do this...

Their are two small holes in the drum that have threads on them

The thread is 8MM 1.25

Go buy two bolts that thread size about 3 inches long

Spray just a little penetrating lubricant into the threaded holes (PB Blaster)

Thread the bolts in each threaded hole in the drum few turns each bolt
making sure your getting the drum to slide off evenly

After you see the drum almost off ,loosen up those two bolts again and pull the drum off with your hands

Toyota was thinking on this one

 

+1.

The bolt method is just so much easier than banging away.

 

^^^^^ the BFH is not always the best route.. the 2 bolt method will force the drum off.

 

Use the bolt method. Many manufactueres have this. Also, try a little heat from a torch. I've used both together and always got them off.
Taking your drums off at the 30,000 mile service should be done just so you know they will come off in the future.

 

took mine off yesterday...Holy brake dust!

Sprayed with brake clean,light sanded shoes and inside drum,painted drum flat black

I think I need to adjust them though..Don't think I have enough drag on the back wheel

Anybody know how much drag should be on the back wheel or how I can go about adjusting them?

I know that's what the adjuster wheel is for but not sure what direction to turn it to tighten up the rear shoes?

Thanks for any info...

 

One thing to remember, coat the axle whare the drum sits with never seize, this will make it much easier the next time you need to remove your brake drums. Anything i take apart i coat with "never seize" before i reassemble

 

I'm new to the Taco and I have not had a vehicle with drum brakes in 20 years.

You should tighten the rear shoes until there is enough drag on the drum that you have to put a little force into it to turn them. This means the shoes are seated against the drum just slightly and they will wear off the little bit of excess quickly.

You can only turn the adjuster easily, one way, it has a locking clip on it to keep it turning in one direction so it dose not back off while you are driving.. I believe from looking at my rear brake a few weeks ago that you will put the tool into the slot on the back plate and start with the tool end pointing down into the slot then push down on the handle to roll the star wheel.
discaimer: it could be the other direction but you will find out real quick if nothing is happening.

I hope his helps.